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Thursday, September 8, 2016

Post 6k - What I've Learned Over the Course of 6,000 Blog Posts

Hard to believe that this is the 6,000th post here at The Tavern. I have no idea how many words that makes but its a lot ;)

I've learned much over the course of 6,000 posts and over 7 years of blogging.

- You can't please everyone. I know we've all heard this line before but it is so true with blogging. There's always some voice in the wilderness screaming out "I don't like X, you need to post more Y!" and "90% of what you post is negative and I want puppy dogs and rainbows!" I get it. Really I do. The thing is, I don't aim to be negative or positive with my posts. I aim for honest posts. My thoughts. My observations. My conclusions. For those that are looking for something The Tavern doesn't offer, there are millions of blogs out there and more than one will fill your needs. Sorry to see you go but you need a place that fits you better.

- Don't take it personal. Yep, another familiar line. You would think after 20 years as a cop, subject to large amounts of verbal abuse based solely on the uniform I wore, this advice would be easy to take, but it isn't always so simple. Some folks see a prolific blogger and OSR personality and figure they can increase their social standing by taking a few potshots. Your initial reaction IS to take it personally. I know there are times I have in the past. I'll try and do better in the future.

- Screenshot everything! If you quote someone for some stupid shit they say, screenshot it and include the screenshot in the post. It keeps them honest. This goes for G+, Facebook, blog comments, etc.

- Be an "equal opportunity offender". If you are going to put fire to the feet of those preying upon the gaming community, share the pain regardless of gender. Whether the excuse is ADD (Abusive Dishonesty Disorder), Congenital Con Crud, The Widow Defense or others, treat them all the same. Don't accuse. Spell out the facts and support those facts with, what else? Screenshots.

- Treat people as they treat you. For my community, that means respect. For certain disruptive personalities, it means disdain. Sorry. If I have no use for you, you probably had no use for me first.

- Community. Its why I post. Its the fuel that keeps me going. The wind beneath my wings. My extra-healing potion (we don't do "healing surges" in the OSR ;)

I'm working on some ideas for the future of The Tavern. It will include adding some voices to the mix, part time bartenders if you will. Hopefully it will also increase the visibility of the rest of the OSR.

Yes, I have ideas. Dangerous, I know.

Thanks for sticking around for the ride thus far and hopefully we will share the ride for a long time to come.

11 comments:

Keep up the good work! You're one of my regular blogs to read and I've seen many other blogs fall by the wayside. Keeping a blog going for 7 years (and more than a post a day!) is very impressive, as well as the quality of the posts.

Congrats Erik, and thank you for your years of service too. I know the same passion for the hobby that burns in us burns bright in you too. Thank you, and congrats again it is hard work that has paid off my man.

Tenkar's Tavern is supported by various affiliate programs, including Amazon, RPGNow, and Humble Bundleas well asPatreon. Your patronage is appreciated and helps keep the lights on and the taps flowing - Your Humble Bartender, Tenkar

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Why "Swords & Wizardry?"

Believe me when I say I have them all in dead tree format. I have OSRIC in full size, trade paperback and the Player's Guide. I have LL and the AEC (and somewhere OEC, but I can't find it at the moment). Obviously I have Basic Fantasy RPG. Actually, I have the whole available line in print. Way too much Castles & Crusades. We all know my love for the DCC RPG. I even have Dark Dungeons in print, the Delving Deeper boxed set, Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea (thank you Kickstarter) (edit) BOTH editions of LotFP's Weird Fantasy and will soon have some dead tree copies of the Greyhawk Grognards Adventures Dark & Deep shipping shortly in my grubby hands awaiting a review..

I am so deep in the OSR when I come up for breath it's for the OSR's cousin, Tunnels & Trolls (and still waiting on dT&T to ship).

So, out of all that, why Swords & Wizardry? Why, when I have been running a AD&D 1e / OSRIC campaign in Rappan Athuk am I using Swords & Wizardry and it's variant, Crypts & Things, for the second campaign? (Actually, now running a S&W Complete campaign, soon to be with multiple groups)

Because the shit works.

It's easy for lapsed gamers to pick up and feel like they haven't lost a step. I can house rule it and it doesn't break. It plays so close to the AD&D of my youth and college years (S&W Complete especially) that it continually surprises me. Just much less rules hopping than I remember. (my God but I can run it nearly without the book)

I grab and pick and steal from just about all OSR and Original resources. They seem to fit into S&W with little fuss. It may be the same with LL and the rest, but for me the ease of use fit's my expectations with S&W.

Even the single saving throw. That took me longer to adjust to, but even that seems like a natural to me now. Don't ask me why, it just does. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. At 45 48, simplicity and flexibility while remaining true to the feel of the original is an OSR hat trick for me ;)